On May 21, 2021, the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) released a pre-rulemaking draft regulation that would prohibit CalGEM from approving applications for permits to conduct well stimulation treatments after January 1, 2024. This rulemaking comes in response to Governor Newsom’s recent decision to unilaterally ban fracking. Comments on the pre-rulemaking draft regulation are […]
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to ban hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as ‘fracking,’ by 2024 in an April 23 press release. As part of his personal longer-term goal to end all oil extraction in the state by 2045, the governor directed the California Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) Division to immediately […]
On Friday, April 23, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied Dakota Access LLC’s request for a rehearing on a three-judge panel ruling that the Dakota Access Pipeline (the “DAPL”) is operating without a key federal permit. By denying the petition, the appeals court stood by its January decision, which upheld the […]
On Wednesday, April 21, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it would not hold its second quarter oil and gas lease sales amid ongoing review of the federal oil and gas leasing program, including potential climate impacts. The pause does not affect current operations or permits for existing leases, which can still be reviewed. […]
President Biden hosted a virtual climate change summit of world leaders on April 22, 2021, during which he pledged to decrease U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52 percent from 2005 levels no later than 2030 – supposedly putting the U.S. on track to achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. In furtherance of this commitment, […]
On April 22, 2021, President Biden announced at the Leader’s Summit on Climate a target for the United States to achieve a 50 to 52 percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution by the year 2030. Notably, and without any evidence, the Biden Administration’s announcement states this goal will provide jobs […]
Almost immediately upon taking the oath of office, President Biden signed Executive Order No. 14008 (EO 14008 or EO). Among other actions, EO 14008 (available HERE) “paused” oil and natural gas development on federal public lands and in offshore waters of the United States. (See EO 14008 HERE). In response to EO 14008, fourteen states […]
Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland issued two Secretarial Orders to prioritize action on climate change and to revoke numerous Trump-administration Secretarial Orders that encouraged fossil fuel energy production and streamlined NEPA review for energy and infrastructure projects on DOI-managed land. On Friday, April 19, 2020, Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland […]
On April 7, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the appointment of Mark Chatterton as the Deputy State Director of Energy and Minerals in California. (See https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bureau-land-management-welcomes-two-new-members-leadership-team-california.) In this new role, Chatterton will be responsible for oversight of oil, gas and geothermal development as well as hard rock mining for metallic and industrial […]
The latest attempt in California to ban fracking and, in general, oil and gas operations in the state recently failed when Senate Bill No. 467 died in the California Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. Senate Bill No. 467 sought to prohibit the issuance of permits for hydraulic fracturing, acid well stimulation treatment, steam flooding, […]
